Original German Mauser Model K.1871 Carbine by ŒWG Steyr Dated 1876 & 1877 with Sling – Serial 5587 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the Mauser Karabiner (Carbine) Model 1871, manufactured by ŒWG Steyr in Austria. These shorter versions are harder to find, and were intended for use by cavalry and lancers. It is covered with Imperial German inspection and acceptance markings, standard for these rifles. The serial number 5587 appears on the barrel, receiver, bolt, barrel band, nose cap, and even on the butt plate. The screws however show numerous different numbers, so most likely it was refit at arsenal at least once, and the screws were all mixed together.

The receiver is dated 1876 as well as 1877, which may be when it was returned to arsenal for a refit. The other side of the receiver is marked K. Mod. 71 on the opposite side in German “Black Letter” type. This stands for Karabiner ;(Carbine) Model 71. The top of the barrel knoxform is marked ŒSTERR. WAFFFB. GES., an abbreviation of Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft, or the Austrian Arms-Manufacturing Company. Part of ŒWG was Steyr-Mannlicher, known mainly as Steyr, who continue to make firearms to this day. Below this is the Crown over FW proof for Kaiser Wilhelm I, who used the F.W. monogram.

Our example is in a nice preserved condition, with a worn polished bright patina on all of the metalwork, which had made some of the markings faint. The bore is in very good condition, with a mostly bright finish and clear lands and grooves. The stock shows the usual dents and scratches from storage and use, and is now a dark brown color showing that it saw long service. It retains the front sling ring and rear swivel, which has been fitted with what looks to be a WWI period leather sling.

Overall this is an very nice example of a service used German Mauser model 1871 Carbine. The perfect addition to any German Mauser collection!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1876
Caliber: 11x60mmR Mauser
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 20 inches
Overall Length: 39 1/4 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot

History of the Mauser 1871

Adopted as the Gewehr 71 or Infanterie-Gewehr 71, or “Infantry Rifle 71 (“I.G.Mod.71” was stamped on the rifles themselves) was the first rifle model in a distinguished line designed and manufactured by Paul Mauser and Wilhelm Mauser of the Mauser company and later mass-produced at Spandau arsenal.

Paul Mauser developed his bolt-action rifle from 1866 to 1871. During 1870-71 trials with many different rifles took place, with the “M1869 Bavarian Werder” being the Mausers’ chief competitor. The Mauser was provisionally adopted on 2 December 1871, pending the development of an appropriate safety. With support from the government’s Spandau arsenal, the improvements to the safety mechanism were completed and the rifle was formally accepted on 14 February 1872 as Infantry Rifle Model 1871 by the German Empire excluding Bavaria. The action was not based on its predecessor, the Dreyse needle gun which had seen service during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, and which was found to have a number of weaknesses.

The now well known Mauser “wing” type safety lever was developed for the Gewehr 71. The Gewehr 71 is a conventional looking bolt action chambered in 11mm using black powder cartridges. The action included only a bolt guide rib as its single locking lug, locking forward of the receiving bridge. The original design was a single-shot. The design was updated in 1884 with an 8-round tubular magazine designed by Alfred von Kropatschek, making this Germany’s first repeating rifle. This version was designated the Gewehr 1871/84. A version of this repeater was adopted by the Ottoman Empire. Designated the M1887, it differentiated from the M71/84 in that it had a side mounted cleaning rod, a second locking lug on the rear of the bolt, and it was in caliber 9.5×60mmR, which Paul Mauser touted as the most efficient (black powder) cartridge. In the early 20th century a few were converted to 7.65×53mm smokeless by the arsenal in Ankara.

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